c. 958–1015

Volodymyr the Great

Baptizer of Rus’

Statesman, Religious leader

Grand Prince of Kyiv who united the lands of Rus’ and made Christianity the state religion (traditionally dated 988). Under his rule Kyivan Rus’ became one of the largest states in Europe.

Key accomplishments

  • The Christianization of Rus’ (traditionally 988) and the adoption of Christianity as the state religion
  • United and expanded the lands of Rus’; built defensive lines and forts against the Pechenegs along the Stuhna, Trubizh and Sula rivers
  • The first coins of Rus’, gold and silver, bearing the trident
  • Built the Church of the Tithes in Kyiv (996), the first monumental masonry church of Rus’

Who he was

Volodymyr was the son of Prince Sviatoslav and Malusha, the housekeeper of Princess Olha. The exact date and place of his birth are unknown; around 958 is usually given. He first ruled in Novgorod, and around 980, after defeating his brother Yaropolk in a war between the princes, he became Grand Prince of Kyiv.

His story

Early in his reign, Volodymyr tried to unite the state around the pagan gods, but later chose Byzantine-rite Christianity. The Christianization of Rus’ is traditionally dated to 988; historians place these events in 987–990. Volodymyr was baptized himself and made Christianity the state religion. This opened Kyiv to writing, education, stone architecture and close ties with Byzantium and Europe.

Volodymyr expanded and strengthened the state, built forts to defend it against the nomadic Pechenegs, and minted the first coins of his own. The Church venerates him as a saint, Equal to the Apostles.

Debates and assessments

Modern Russia counts Volodymyr as part of its own history and calls him “Vladimir.” For Ukraine, he is a ruler of the Kyivan state, whose center was in Kyiv, and his sign, the trident, is today the state coat of arms of Ukraine.

Why it matters today

Volodymyr’s choice set the cultural path of Rus’ for centuries to come. Ukrainian Statehood Day is marked on July 15, the day on which Volodymyr the Great is commemorated. His portrait is on the 1 hryvnia banknote.